Bhubaneswar, March 8: Opposition Congress’ protests rocked the Odisha Assembly today as the Speaker turned down its demand for a discussion on rising crimes against women.

Quoting the rules, Speaker Pradip Amat said he disallowed the Opposition-sponsored adjournment motion, as it did not relate to any recent occurrence.

The Congress members stormed the well, shouting slogans against the government, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh said it was unfortunate that the government was not ready to face a discussion on rising offences against women.

Stating that crimes against women were on the rise, Singh referred to recent gang rape cases such as the Rayagada gang rape on January 2, in which the victim was forced to immolate herself as well as the rape in Baripada district headquarters hospital.

He alleged that in many cases the police were not accepting the complaints lodged by the victims. He also cited the clash between women protesters and police in the Posco area last evening and their attempt to protest by stripping. “Such incidents are sad when the world is celebrating Women’s Day,” he said.

Congress chief whip Prasad Harichandan said: “Every year, 73 gang rapes are recorded on an average.”

Members of the state women empowerment authority board, headed by the chief minister Naveen Patnaik, have not met during the past two years, Harichandan said, adding that the state commission for women was not disposing of the cases lodged by the victims.

However, BJD deputy chief whip Sanjay Dasburma said the Congress had no moral right to speak about crimes against women since the party workers had mercilessly assaulted a woman constable during a party rally near the Assembly on September 6 last year.

Dasburma cited the infamous cases such as Ajana, Acharna and Chhabirani rape cases that had taken place during the previous Congress regime.

On the other hand, during the present regime, separate mahila police stations and fast-track courts have been set up to expedite trials against crimes against women. Besides, the government has reserved 50 per cent seats in the panchayats and urban bodies for women, he said.

Parliamentary affairs minister Kalpataru Das said the Opposition motion was not based on any recent occurrence.